Tens of thousands of people gathered in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol plaza on Sunday, September 27, 2026, extending a demonstration against Spain's housing crisis into a second day. The protest followed the eviction of 87-year-old María del Carmen Abascal, known as "Maricarmen," from her longtime apartment on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
Protesters began camping in the plaza overnight following a large march on Saturday, September 26, 2026. Alicia del Río, spokesperson for the Tenants’ Union, stated they intend to remain until at least Tuesday, September 29, 2026, when the Spanish government is scheduled to hold a cabinet meeting to discuss new housing measures. The demonstrators are calling for indefinite rental contracts, anti-fraud rules, and a ban on evictions for residents who have not been provided alternative housing.
The eviction of Abascal, who had lived in her apartment in the Retiro neighborhood since 1956, became a focal point for the demonstrations. According to the Madrid Tenants’ Union, the building changed ownership in 2018, and an investment fund, Urbagestión, later purchased the unit. The union reported that Abascal's rent was initially raised from 500 euros ($570) to 2,650 euros per month, and though later lowered to 1,650 euros, she was unable to pay the amount on her pension.
Spain currently faces a housing shortage, with the Bank of Spain estimating a deficit of 550,000 homes last year. Cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia are most affected by the supply constraints. Data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) shows that subsidized public rental housing makes up less than 2% of Spain’s housing stock, compared to an 8% average across the European Union.
Renters and low-income pensioners face the risk of displacement without alternative housing options provided by the state. The scale of the movement in Puerta del Sol—a symbolic site for Spanish activism—reminded many of the 2011 economic protests, which lasted for 28 days and sparked global sit-ins.
The demonstrations could lead to shifts in Spanish national policy regarding the private rental market. If the government adopts the Tenants’ Union demands, it could set a precedent for indefinite rental contracts and stricter regulations on investment funds that purchase residential buildings. What happens next depends on the outcome of the cabinet meeting scheduled for Tuesday, September 29, 2026, where the Socialist-led government is expected to announce new measures intended to address the housing shortage and tenant protections.